is RWD over FWD worth 5 grand?
the main difference, always, will be what sort of feelings you are after
in a RWD and some AWD cars, you have the feeling of being PUSHED. and tend to find yourself in the "center" of the forces being acted on the vehicle.
in a FWD car, you'll only ever get the feeling of being PULLED, and tend to find yourself simply following your eyes and arms.
if i was to come with a witty one liner, id say that FWD is about figuring out where you want to go and RWD is about getting there
since vehiclde dynamics, at the end of the day, are bout weight and tires, a 2600 lb brick making 200hp of roughly the same dimensions, using the same tires, with sporty suspensions, will perform equally on a dry pavement track.
the difference is how you go about it...
for people who have zero interest in autosports i think RWD cars are a complete waste. I'd go FWD in a second if i didn't want to have a little fun at the track.